A benediction given by Bishop Eric Matsumoto at the AJA Veterans Tribute on December 5, 2016, honoring World War II veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion

Bishop Eric Matsumoto paid tribute to Queen Liliʻuokalani at memorial service at Hilo Betsuin on October 30, 2016. The Queen died on November 11, 1917; in the Hongwanji tradition, the memorial is being held a calendar year ahead. Following an opening reflection and aspiration that all life be happy, the Bishop begins, To our Honored […]

Sunday, October 2nd, 2016 was Mahatma Gandhi Day in Hawaii. Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Bishop Eric Matsumoto was one of the speakers at a celebration event outside the Honolulu Zoo in front of the Gandhi statue; we share his remarks here. Reflecting on the affairs of our world, there is an escalation in […]

2016 Hawaii Buddhist Council Memorial Day Message by Bishop Eric Matsumoto of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Today, as we gather for our Hawaii Buddhist Council Memorial Day Service, let us revisit the significance and purpose of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a time when we remember and honor those who died in our […]

Message from Bishop Eric Matsumoto on January 28, 2016 To the Family, Relatives and Friends of the late Colonel Ellison Onizuka and the Members and Supporters of Kona Hongwanji, As you gather at Kona Hongwanji, on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the late Colonel Ellison Onizuka and his fellow […]

Tomorrow, Saturday June 24, 2017, the "Ellison Onizuka: A Remembrance" exhibit will open at JCCH. There will be an opening/dedication ceremony to be held at 9 AM, with our Bishop Eric Matsumoto doing the invocation for the program. The Bishop has said it is an honor to do so, as someone who shares the same birthplace (Kona) as Ellison, and as a fellow Japanese-American and Jodo Shin Buddhist. This event is open to the public.

We will be holding a Kikyoshiki Confirmation Ceremony by His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani in September!

Confirmation Ceremony, or “Kikyoshiki”, is a solemn ceremony performed before Amida Buddha and Shinran Shonin to officially confirm your entry into the Path of the Nembutsu. Participants will affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. “Buddha” is not simply in reference to Sakyamuni, but refers more importantly to Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Wisdom and Boundless Compassion. “Dharma” is the teaching of Amida’s Compassionate working to embrace all beings without any discrimination. “Sangha” refers to the community of people who have entrusted themselves to Amida Buddha and its Nembutsu teaching.

By participating in the Confirmation Ceremony, you will receive a Dharma Buddhist Name (Homyo). These names are in the form of “Shaku” and two Buddhist terms which follow. The word “Shaku” means “disciple of Sakyamuni” and signifies that the person has joined the followers of the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha, a community that transcends race or nationality.

His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani, the Head Priest and the Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Organization, will be officiating the Confirmation Ceremony at the following three locations. Please note that the Confirmation Ceremony is open to anyone throughout the State. There is no minimum or maximum age limit however the individual must be able to participate in the ceremony at the temple. We sincerely hope that you will take this wonderful opportunity and participate in the Confirmation Ceremony. Please contact your resident minister if you have any questions about this ceremony.Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin (398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo)Tuesday, September 5, 2017, 5:30pm

Jodo Shinshu followers in Hawaii will have three opportunities in September 2017 to affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and receive a Buddhist name from Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani. The Gomonshu is the Head Priest and Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hon